Notes from tonight’s Smackdown tapings in Fort Wayne, IN:
They opened the show with Miz TV. Daniel Bryan was General Manager for two nights only apparently. He opened announcing Seth Rollins vs. Ryback, Luke Harper vs. Dolph Ziggler for the IC title and because Rusev didn’t do the pledge of allegiance, there would be a 20 man Battle Royal for the U.S. title.
Rusev retained the title in the Battle Royal. It was mostly prelim and mid-level guys. The biggest names were Big Show, Erick Rowan, Miz & Mizdow and Cesaro. The last two were Rusev and Swagger with Rusev throwing him out to win.
Bray Wyatt did a promo. Emma came out and then they went to a Big E New Day clip.
Nikki Bella b Emma. Nikki cut a promo on A.J. after the match. A.J. attacked Brie Bella at ringside.
Ryback b Seth Rollins via DQ when Kane interfered and hit Ryback with a chair. Long match. Kane gave Ryback a beating with the chair since this was the angle to set up a Kane vs. Ryback chair match on PPV.
Big E & Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods b Heath Slater & Titus O’Neil & Curtis Axel
Daniel Bryan did an interview. He announced Kane vs. Ryback’s match for the PPV. He was asked if he would be back soon, and started chanting “Yes.”
Dolph Ziggler b Luke Harper via count out in the IC title match. Harper tried to attack Ziggler with a belt shot after, but Ziggler ducked it and hit the Zig Zag.
